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February 2, 2001

AMSA Winter Conference Focuses on Utility Infrastructure
This week in San Diego, CA, AMSA hosted an extremely successful 2001 Winter Conference, Managing Utility Infrastructure. Over 200 AMSA members participated in general sessions that explored the many issues surrounding management and financial challenges facing water and wastewater utilities. Panel discussions on water infrastructure financing, asset management, and the Water and Wastewater Leadership Center provided attendees with an opportunity to learn about emerging trends and initiatives in the industry. The membership also adopted a resolution calling for the 107^th Congress to "renew its commitment to America’s water resources with $57 billion in new authorizations and funding to capitalize state-administered grant and loan programs." The resolution will be forwarded to Congress in the coming weeks.

During the closing session of the conference, the National Biosolids Partnership rolled out its Environmental Management System (EMS) program for biosolids. This new tool contains essential components to improve environmental performance and public acceptance. Conference attendees were asked to sign on to a letter to members of Congress requesting $1.1 million for FY 2002 "to finalize the EMS blueprint based on the results of the pilot program, demonstrate the third party verification program, develop audit protocols, establish certification protocols, and continue communications through the website and training workshops."

Rep. Duncan Named Chair of Key Water Subcommittee
This week, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska) announced that Rep. John Duncan (R-Tenn) will assume the chairmanship of the House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee. Duncan represents the state’s 2^nd District which includes the service area of Knoxville Utilities Board, an AMSA member. Duncan has also agreed to serve as co-chair of the Water Infrastructure Caucus, a group of House members that are exploring a greater federal role in water and wastewater infrastructure funding.

EPA Shares Draft Blending Policy with AMSA Wet Weather Committee
During AMSA’s Wet Weather Issues Committee Meeting on Tuesday, EPA staff presented the Agency’s current interpretation of the legal status of POTW facilities that blend peak wet weather flows. The January 19, 2001 draft, Current Thinking on Peak Flows at POTWs, establishes a list of principles for NPDES permit authorities to authorize such discharges, including the requirement to meet secondary treatment standards, document information on the treatment scheme included in past permit applications, and to use blending only when flows exceed the capacity of storage and treatment units. AMSA will distribute the draft blending document to the membership for review and comment next week. A preliminary analysis of AMSA’s blending survey responses indicates that 50 percent of member POTWs blend.